Based on the Book "To Die and Live" written by Steve Losee, this Christian action move sets out to tell the story of Bill Donley (Anthony Tyler Quinn), the secret agent assigned to rescue Carmen Gonsalo (Marina Resa) after she gets caught smuggling Bibles into 1985 Communist Romania.
The story line is simple to follow and does not offer any real twists or wrinkles but somehow still manages to capture the attention of it's audience. The cinematography is very well laid out and directed beautifully. All of the actors appear comfortable in their roles and right for the parts with one small exception, Carmen (along with her father who we never see but learn was a nuclear physicist escaped from Cuba on a few years earlier) has no hint of any accent other than American. Overlooking that flaw was not hard as I enjoyed hearing her faith and seeing it in action as she continued in her love and witness for Christ even in the face of possible death. For film makers who have not done much prior to this, Daniel Noa and Brandon Rice have put together a Christian film that would make a wonderful addition to anyone's collection.
I like to review movies based not only on my own viewing but that of my children as well, and with this movies quick 45 minute time frame the writers did a wonderful job of developing the main characters and telling the story that my children, like myself wished we could have had more of. One of these base markers is if my children start talking about how they are "this character" or "that character". Both boys wanted to be Bill Donley as they watched him run through the opening moments, save the countries nuclear secrets and then rescue the damsel in distress. My daughter, who is younger, liked that part as well but being a girl noticed more of the softer side of the movie in the way Carman treated her captures. My final daughter (only 3) is into music and if she dances to the musical score in a movie it's a hit with her
sorry this one was not but hey, she is only 3.
Christians should enjoy the clear Gospel message of the movie as there is no mistaking what the overall intent of this film is, to tell a story of interest while informing the audience that Jesus is our freedom from all the things we have done in this life. It is the climax of this message with Bill Donley's character that should solidify Noa/Rice Digital as Christian filmmakers to be watched in the future. Her is to hoping that they can do more with the Smuggler franchise and future endeavors.
